More Tips for the 20-Something Living in Their First Apartment

No matter your age, your first apartment is an adventure. You have your own space, can cook and eat when you want, can stay up all night, and can have people drop in whenever they feel like it.

Along with all this freedom, there is also a lot of responsibility. If you have a party and your apartment gets trashed, you could end up being evicted and having to pay for repairs. That’s a bit more serious than getting grounded by your parents.

So, for you 20-somethings living in your first apartment, here are three tips that will help you avoid making serious mistakes!

1. Protect your keys. It’s always a good idea to give a copy of your apartment key to a neighbor or family member, but don’t give out keys willy-nilly. While you may enjoy random guests at first, there will come a time when you’ll want privacy in your own apartment.

2. Schedule cleaning! It’s very easy to get caught up in going to work, going out with friends and coming home to sleep for a while before heading out again. This can lead to a huge mess in your apartment. Set aside one day each week to do laundry, clean and even cook some meals to put in the freezer. Eventually you will settle into a regular routine, and having an organized and clean apartment is the first step.

3. Limit overnight stays. Sure, everyone has a friend who may need a place to stay for a week or two every now and then, but if you have friends who are routinely couch surfing, you may have to put your foot down. There’s no harm in pointing out that you work hard for what you have and can’t afford to support someone else.

Your first apartment is something that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. Make it a good memory by having fun, enjoying your freedom and being a responsible adult. Responsibility doesn’t mean you can’t still have fun!